Mrs. Joan A "Joey" Heggemann (nee: Ruether) of Dutzow, passed away on Wednesday, December 6, at New Haven Care Center. She was born on November 30, 1933 in Dutzow to the late Oscar and Angela (nee: Ballmann) Ruether. Joey had reached the age of 90 years.
Joey was united in marriage to Donald Edward Heggemann on November 28, 1953. To this union, seven children were born, Wanda, Randy, Larry, Debbie, Ken, Donna and Jonne. She was also born in to a large family and had eight siblings.She worked on the farm with her husband, kept house and took amazing care of her children. Joey was one of the founding members of the Bluebird 4H Club. She was a 4H leader for many years, while her children were participating and then continued to support the local kids. She was also a Khoury League Softball coach. She enjoyed softball very much, whether it be playing, coaching or watching. She was an avid reader, reading anything from the newspaper to several kinds of books. She was very active in her church, St. Ignatius in Concord Hill. Joey's greatest joy came from caring for her family, especially her grandchildren. Joey was dedicated to her faith and her family.
Joey Heggemann was preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald Heggemann; her parents, Oscar and Angela Ruether; siblings, Jerome Ruether and wife Eileen, Urban Ruether and wife Sophie, Marion Ruether, Louise Schwoeppe and husband Marvin, Margaret Holtmeyer and husband Alfred, Annie Wessel and husband Donald and Tom Ruether; brother in laws, Marvin and Leon Heggemann; sister in laws, Sr. Janette Heggemann and Lorraine Kluba. Surviving family members include her seven children, Wanda Bade and husband Kent, Randy Heggemann, Larry Heggemann and wife Cheryl, Debbie Patke and husband Dennis, Ken Heggemann and wife Jill, Donna Hopen and husband Paul, Jonne Hanneken and husband Steve; 17 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; one sister, Tootie Borgerding and husband Carl; three sister in laws, Marilee Ruether-Getz, Judy Heggemann and Jackie Heggemann; brother in law, Phil Kluba; many nieces, nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Joey Heggemann's family will host a celebration of her life with a visitation on Monday, December 11, from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. at Martin Funeral Home in Marthasville. They will then host a Catholic Mass at St. Ignatius Church on Tuesday, December 12, beginning at 10 A.M. A burial will follow at the church cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to be made in Joey's honor to the Dutzow Community Club Playground Fund or to Masses at St. Ignatius Catholic Church.
